Long Beach police officer shoots fleeing robbery suspect

An unarmed robbery suspect was shot and wounded Thursday night by a Long Beach police officer as he fled on foot near Orange Avenue and 10th Street.

Matthew Frushon, 39, of Long Beach, was arrested and charged with robbery and assault with a deadly weapon for an armed robbery that took place on Monday. He was transported to a local hospital, where he is listed in stable condition.

An officer with the Long Beach Police Department spotted the Frushon, who matched the description of armed robbery suspect, around 10:40 p.m. Thursday in the 4500 block of Orange Avenue. The officer attempted to detain the suspect when he fled on foot.

A foot chase ensued, and the officer, who considered the suspect "armed and dangerous," fired at the suspect who was struck by gunfire.

Police could be reached for further comment Friday afternoon.

The robbery occurred Monday at about 2 a.m. at a convenience store, police said. The suspect was described as a male with a handgun. When officers arrived, the suspect had left the scene. Store employees provided a description and officers had been actively searching for the subject.

On Thursday, an officer driving a marked police car saw a Frushon, who matched the description of the robbery suspect, officials said. According to a LBPD written statement, the man made an "overt action" causing the officer to "discharge his firearm. "

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office is conducting an independent investigation of the shooting, as is protocol with all officer involved shootings that occur in Los Angeles County resulting in injury or death.